NDLEA arrests pastor, regains N609m drugs

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport command of the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has apprehended a pastor, Prophet Michael
Raji, for drug trafficking.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that Raji, a pastor of a white garment
church at the Ikotun area of Lagos, was arrested at about 12pm on
Monday while he was trying to smuggle 174 kilogrammes of narcotic
drugs to South Africa.
The agency said three international passports bearing different names
were also recovered from the pastor.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that an NDLEA team led Raji to the church,
where bags containing 91kg of Methamphetamine and 83kg of Ephedrine
with an estimated street value of N609m were recovered.
It was also learnt that a jeep was impounded during the operation.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that a preliminary investigation indicated
that the suspect was a member of a wanted drug syndicate operating in
Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
The 60-year-old pastor told investigators that he was tempted to the
act by the devil.
Firstclassnewsline.net
He said, "I received the drugs from my friend and I kept them in the
church since October 2014. This is a great temptation for me and I
pray to God to overcome it."
The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, described the
suspect as a "smooth operator."
Umar said, "The drugs were brought to the airport for export to South
Africa. Investigation eventually traced the movement of the drugs to
his church premises where he was arrested.
"He had three international passports bearing his photographs with the
names Michael Raji and Kadigun Ola.
"It was equally discovered that the church premises, where he
ministers, also serves as a warehouse for narcotics.
"The seized drugs, concealed inside large bags of foodstuffs, were
found to contain 91kg of Methamphetamine and 83kg of Ephedrine with an
estimated street value of N609m.
"We also recovered a Mercedes Benz jeep during the operation."
The Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said the seizure was
phenomenal and promised that the suspect and his fleeing accomplices
would be brought to book.
The NDLEA boss further called on members of the public to continue to
support the agency by providing useful information on drug trafficking
syndicates.
Firstclassnewsline.net